People Not Receiving Ontario Works or ODSP Benefits

The Homelessness Prevention Program provides one-time assistance to York Region residents with low and moderate income (“applicants”) who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and are not receiving Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program benefits.

York Region administers the Homelessness Prevention Program through an annual agreement with two service providers:

Salvation Army Northridge Community Church administers the program for the northern part of York Region (Town of Aurora, Town of East Gwillimbury, Town of Georgina, Township of King, Town of Newmarket, Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville)

Jewish Family and Child Services administers the program for the southern part of York Region (City of Markham, City of Richmond Hill, City of Vaughan)

Through an application process, applicants may receive assistance once every three years for the following:

First and last month’s rent

Rental arrears

Utility arrears

Utility security deposit

Utility reconnection fees

Moving costs

Assistance with mortgage payments (including mortgage arrears)

Replacement costs for identification

Compensation for urgent medical needs

Landlord and tenant mediation

October 23, 2018 The Regional Municipality of Yorken-USThe Regional Municipality of York

Applicants must demonstrate that they are under threat of utility service disconnection, eviction, or are homeless or living in a temporary shelter.

Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or refugees.

The applicant must be a resident of York Region (Town of Aurora, Town of East Gwillimbury, Town of Georgina, Township of King, City of Markham, Town of Newmarket, Town of Richmond Hill, City of Vaughan, Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville) and intend to continue living in York Region.

Residency exceptions can be granted in the following cases:

Assistance with first and last month’s rent may be granted to residents who wish to move from York Region to another community

Assistance to move into York Region may be granted to a client that resides in a community outside of York Region

Applicants must be able to maintain their housing given their current income and fixed expenses. After tax, household income is used when calculating sustainability. Fixed expenses include, but are not limited to, rent or mortgage, transportation, utilities and food.

The applicant’s household income must be equal to or less than the applicable after-tax income cut-off. The income cut-off is based on Statistics Canada’s Census Family Low Income Measure, updated annually based on Canadian Census data. The low income cut-offs are doubled to reflect moderate income for the Homelessness Prevention Program.

Size of Family Unit

Income Cut-Off (After Tax)

1 person

$40,848

2 Persons

$57,768

3 Persons

$70,750

4 Persons

$81,696

5 Persons

$91,338

6 Persons

$100,056

7 or more Persons

$108,074

October 23, 2018 The Regional Municipality of Yorken-USThe Regional Municipality of York

Applicants who are receiving Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) assistance are ineligible. Applicants receiving OW or ODSP assistance are referred to York Region’s Housing Stability Program.

An exception can be granted in the following case:

An application where household income is comprised of earned income and Ontario Works and/or Ontario Disability Support Program assistance.

October 23, 2018 The Regional Municipality of Yorken-USThe Regional Municipality of York

Related Resources

financial assistance,moving,rent,hydro,utilities,Ontario works,ODSP,Housing Stability Program,homelessness prevention,eviction,homelessness.Sep 12, 2017, 1:17:00 PM EDTThe Regional Municipality of Yorken-USThe Regional Municipality of York
Rent and Utility Assistance
Rent and utility assistance is designed to help keep you from becoming homeless. You can get financial assistance for rent and utilities through two different programs.